Transparent roof structure in vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a transparent roof structure in a vehicle which includes a roof glass ( 100 ) which includes a reinforced net layer ( 112 ) and a net glass layer ( 110 ) which is formed of a first glass layer ( 114 ) and a second glass layer ( 116 ) formed in an upper and lower surface of the reinforced net layer ( 112 ), respectively, a pillar glass ( 200 ) which is formed of the net glass layer ( 110 ) and is extended from a front end corner of the roof glass ( 100 ) in a slanted downward direction, a wind shield ( 300 ) which is formed of a transparent glass and is extended from a front end of the roof glass ( 100 ) and an inner end of the pillar glass ( 200 ), a supporter ( 500 ) which includes a holder portion ( 510 ) having a glass engaging groove ( 512 ) to which a lower portion of the wind shield ( 300 ) is engaged and an engaging portion ( 520 ) which is extended from the holder portion ( 510 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a structure of a vehicle, and inparticular to a structure of a vehicle which does not include a front orrear pillar.

[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art

[0004] Generally, a vehicle is formed of a chassis and a body. Thechassis is a general term of the parts except for a body of a vehicleand includes a frame, engine, driving force transfer apparatus,suspension apparatus, steering apparatus and brake apparatus. The bodyis a basic frame of a vehicle. In almost vehicle types such as a sedan,coupe, etc., a monocoque type body in which a roof frame, pillar, mainframe, etc. are integrally formed, is adapted.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 10, the roof pillar is supported by three pairsof the pillars such as a pillar A, pillar B and pillar C. A wind shieldis installed between the pillars A, and a rear window is installedbetween the pillars C.

[0006] Here, since the pillars A and C are formed at the both sides of adriver's seat and at the both sides of the passenger's seat, as shown inFIG. 11, a blind area is formed. Therefore, when a driver turns avehicle in a certain direction or parks the vehicle, it is impossible tohave a wide visual field due to the blind area, so that a vehicleaccident may occur for thereby increasing a vehicle accident ratio.

[0007] In addition, recently there is a trend for increasing a sportyappearance of a vehicle and decreasing an air resistance. A design fordecreasing the width and angle of the pillar A is adapted. In this case,it is impossible to increase a comfort seating feel in a driver's andpassenger's seat. Therefore, when a vehicle collision accident occurs ora vehicle overturn accident occurs, it is impossible to satisfy acircular protection system in a driver's and passenger's seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention toprovide a transparent roof structure in a vehicle which overcomes theproblems encountered in the conventional art.

[0009] It is a second object of the present invention to provide atransparent roof structure in a vehicle which is capable of increasing adriving safety by obtaining a wider visual field in a forward andbackward direction of a vehicle.

[0010] It is a third object of the present invention to provide atransparent roof structure in a vehicle which is capable of satisfying acomfort seating feel and circular protection system in a vehicle byincreasing a supporting force of a roof.

[0011] It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide atransparent roof structure in a vehicle which is capable of simplifyinga process for fabricating a body of a vehicle, enhancing a productivityand implementing an easier maintenance of a roof structure divided intoa ring frame.

[0012] It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide atransparent roof structure in a vehicle which has good features indurability, heat-resistance, insulation and soundproof.

[0013] It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide atransparent roof structure in a vehicle which is capable of implementinga good riding environment by obtaining a natural inner lighting using anatural light.

[0014] In order to achieve the above objects, there is provided atransparent roof structure in a vehicle which includes a roof glasswhich includes a reinforced net layer and a net glass layer which isformed of a first glass layer and a second glass layer formed in anupper and lower surface of the reinforced net layer, respectively, apillar glass which is formed of the net glass layer and is extended froma front end corner of the roof glass in a slanted downward direction, awind shield which is formed of a transparent glass and is extended froma front end of the roof glass and an inner end of the pillar glass, asupporter which includes a holder portion having a glass engaging grooveto which a lower portion of the wind shield is engaged, an engagingportion which is extended from the holder portion, is and a plurality ofsupporter engaging holes formed in a width direction of the engagingportion, and a ring frame which is installed in each side of the roofglass, the pillar glass, the wind shield and the rear window,respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will become better understood withreference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way ofillustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention,wherein;

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a transparent roofstructure in a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a vehicle having a transparentroof structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a frontengaged state of a transparent roof structure according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent roofstructure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the construction of an engaged stateof a roof glass and a pillar B according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent roofstructure implemented based on an application example of the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a structure of a conventionalvehicle; and

[0026]FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a driver's blind area which isformed by a pillar A and a pillar C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will beexplained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a transparent roofstructure in a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective viewillustrating a front engaged state of a transparent roof structureaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 isa cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent roof structureaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] As shown therein, a transparent roof structure of a vehicleaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a roofglass 100, a pillar glass 200, a wind shield 300, a rear window 400, asupporter 500 and a ring frame 600.

[0030] The roof glass 100 is formed in a transparent structure whichoperates as a roof of a vehicle. The roof glass 100 includes areinforced net layer 112, and a net glass 113 layer formed of a firstglass layer 114 and a second glass layer 116 which are formed on theupper and lower surfaces of the reinforced net layer 112. The reinforcednet layer 112 is formed in such a manner that a metallic wire orreinforced fiber wire are crossed at a certain interval like a net, sothat the reinforced net layer 112 does not interfere with a driver'svisual field and supports the frame of the roof glass 100. In addition,a plurality of engaging holes 102 are formed in the center portion ofboth side ends of the roof glass 100. An engaged element passes throughthe engaging holes 102 when engaging with the pillar B.

[0031] The first glass layer 114 and the second glass layer 116 areformed of one selected from the group comprising a poly glass,polycarbonate, reinforced plastic, and tempered glass. Preferably, thefirst glass layer 114 and the second glass layer 116 are formed of apoly glass. The poly glass has 150 times strength compared to thetempered glass and has 40 times strength compared to the acryl and hasan excellent mechanical, tension and bending strength and a highheat-resistance and light transmission ratio and is proper forfabricating a curved surface and a roof glass according to the presentinvention. The roof glass 100 is capable of adding multiple functionlayers in addition to the net glass layer 112. The layer structure ofthe roof glass 100 will be described in detail later with reference toFIG. 8.

[0032] The pillar glass 200 is formed of a transparent member which iscapable of supporting a vertical direction weight of the roof glass 100.The pillar glass 200 is formed of a net glass layer in which areinforced net layer is formed between the is glass layers like the roofglass 100 and is downwardly extended from each corner of the roof glass100. The pillar glass 200 includes a reinforced net layer forimplementing an internal strength and does not interfere with a driver'svisual field based on a structure in which a wire is crossed at acertain interval like the roof glass 100.

[0033] The wind shield 300 is a transparent glass which is installed ina front surface of a vehicle and is extended from a front end of theroof glass 100 and an inner end of the pillar glass 200. The wind shield300 does not include a reinforced net layer for obtaining a driver'svisual field differently from the roof glass 100 and the pillar glass200. Namely, the wind shield is formed of only a transparent glass. Thewind shield 300 is preferably formed of a poly glass. The wind glass 300supports a weight of a front side of the roof glass 100.

[0034] The rear window 400 is formed of a transparent glass which isinstalled in a rear side of a vehicle and is extended from a rear end ofthe roof glass and an inner end of the pillar glass. The rear window 400does not include a reinforced net layer for obtaining a driver's visualfield in a backward direction differently from the roof glass 100 andthe pillar glass 200. Namely, the rear window 400 is formed of only atransparent glass. The rear window 400 is preferably formed of a polyglass. The rear window 400 supports a weight of a rear side of the roofglass 100.

[0035] The supporter 500 is formed of an engaging support member of thering frame 600 for engaging a transparent roof structure to a body of avehicle as an engaging member connected with the ring frame 600. Thesupporter 500 includes a holder portion 510 having a glass engaginggroove 512 to which the lower portions of the window shield 300 and therear window 400 are engaged, an engaging portion 520 which is extendedfrom the holder portion 510, and a plurality of supporter engaging holes530 which are formed in a width direction of the engaging portion 520.The supporter 500 is engaged to a lower frame 700 formed in a body of avehicle by an engaging element 550 engaged to the supporter engaginghole 530 of the engaging portion 520.

[0036] The supporter 500 is preferably formed of a metallic material. Apacking 540 may be inserted into the glass engaging groove 512 forimplementing a sealed state when engaging with the wind shield 300 orthe rear window 400. The supporter 500 is engaged with the lower frame700 formed in a body of a vehicle by engaging element 550 engaged to thesupporter engaging hole 530 of the engaging portion 520. The lower frame700 includes a lower bent portion 710 which is formed in an upperportion in a step shape, and a plurality of engaging holes 720 formed ina width direction of the lower bent portion 710. An engaging member 550for fixing the supporter 500 to the lower frame 700 may be a screw andbolt. In another embodiment of the present invention, a rivet or weldingmethod may be used.

[0037] The ring frame 600 is a reinforcing member which is installed ineach side end of the roof glass 100 and the pillar glass 200 and eachlower portion of the wind shield 300 and the rear window 400 for therebyreinforcing an external structure of a transparent glass which is atransparent roof structure according to the present invention. The ringframe 600 maintains a basic structure of the roof glass 100 and thepillar glass 200 and protects a lateral end of the same and prevents theroof glass 100 or the pillar glass 200 from being directly contactedwith a neighboring frame such as a door frame. The ring frame 600surrounds the outer portions of the lateral ends of the roof glass 100and the pillar glass 200 and the outer portions of the lower ends of thewind shield 300 and the rear window 400 for thereby supporting an outerportion of a transparent roof structure in a channel shape. The ringframe 600 is preferably formed of a metallic material for maintaining abasic structure of the transparent roof glass and protecting a sideportion from being damaged due to an external impact. A rubber packing540 may be inserted into the inner side of the ring frame 600 forimplementing a sealed state between the metallic ring and glass andincreasing a buffering effect. A rubber packing or molding may beadditionally provided in both outer sides of the lateral surfaces of thering frame 600 which surrounds the wind shield 300, the pillar glass 200and the roof glass 100 for thereby preventing a direct contact with theneighboring frame such as a door frame and implementing a sealed state.

[0038] The lower frame 700 includes a lower bent portion 710 which isformed in an upper portion in a step shape, and a plurality of engagingholes 720 formed in a width direction of the lower bent portion 710.

[0039]FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the engaged state between the roofglass and the pillar B according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown therein, the roof glass 100 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention is supported in a vertical directionby the pillar glass formed in each corner as well as the pillar B170(center pillar). A channel shaped molding 180 is installed in thecenter portion of the lateral ends of the roof glass 100. A certainengaging element such as a bolt 190 and nut 192 may be used for engagingthe molding 180, the roof glass 100 and the pillar B 170. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the above elements may be engagedbased on a welding method.

[0040]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating avehicle having a transparent roof structure according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As shown therein, in the vehicle having a transparent roofstructure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, thewind shield, rear window as well as the roof and pillar portions areformed of a transparent member. Therefore, there is not a blind regionwhich is formed due to a conventional non-transparent pillar and roof,in forward, backward, lateral and upward directions of the vehicle forthereby implementing a wider visual field in the present invention.

[0042]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent roofstructure according to an application example of the present invention.As shown therein, the transparent roof structure according to thepresent invention includes a first glass layer 114, a second glass layer116, and a net glass layer 110 formed of a reinforced net layer 112formed between the first glass layer 114 and the second glass layer 116.

[0043] The reinforced net layer 112 performs a structure reinforcingrole for maintaining a basic object of the transparent rood structureaccording to the present invention and is formed of a metallic wire orreinforced fiber wire which is not transformed by an external impact andis capable of receiving an external impact.

[0044] An air layer 120 and a third glass layer 130 are formed on theupper surface of the first glass layer 114. The air layer 120 enhances ariding comfort feel and performs a bulletproof layer operation based ona buffering effect when an external impact is applied thereto.

[0045] A photosensitive glass layer 140 may be additionally formed onthe upper surface of the third glass layer 130, and an infrared rayreflection glass layer 150 may be additionally formed on the uppersurface of the photosensitive glass layer 140. The photosensitive glasslayer 140 is a layer the color of which is changed based on theintensity of light by coating an oxide on the glass. Namely, when aultraviolet ray is inputted, the layer is changed into a violet colorand is darkened. When the ultraviolet ray is not inputted, the color ofthe layer is changed to the original transparent state. The infrared rayreflection glass layer 150 enhance a warming and cooling efficiencybased on the interference of the infrared ray by reflecting light of thesun. The infrared ray reflection glass layer 150 is directed to using aninterfering phenomenon of a thin film attached on the surface of theglass and the reflection ration characteristic of the metal which formsthe thin film. The infrared ray reflection glass layer 150 may be formedby sputtering a solution which contains a metallic oxide, titanium, tin,etc. on the surface of the glass.

[0046] A liquid crystal glass layer 160 may be additionally formed onthe lower surface of the second glass layer 116. The liquid crystalglass layer 160 becomes a transparent or non-transparent state based onwhether the power is supplied or not and is formed of a glass layer inwhich liquid crystal molecular are sealed therein. The liquid crystalglass layer 160 is formed by attaching a liquid crystal film to a filmhaving a transparent conductive film and bonding a plate glass to theouter layer. The liquid crystal film prevents scattering of glass.

[0047]FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown therein, the transparent roof structureaccording to the present invention may be adapted to a vehicle as wellas a bus.

[0048] In the case of the bus, the transparent roof structure is formedof a roof glass, a wind shield and a front pillar glass without a rearwindow. In addition, the roof glass supports a vertical direction weightby the intermediate pillars.

[0049] In an application example of the present invention, only the windshield and the front pillar may be formed of an integral transparentmember. Namely, the windshield and front pillar are formed of the polyglass, and the lower and upper portions of the windshield and bothlateral ends of the pillar are surrounded by the ring frame, and theupper and lower supporters of the ring frame are engaged with the frame,so that the integral transparent member supports the front portions ofthe roof and performs the operation of the windshield without arectangular support.

[0050] As described above, in the transparent roof structure of avehicle according to the present invention, since it is possible toobtain a wider visual field of a driver in the forward, backward andupward directions, it is possible to prevent a traffic accident due to ablind area when driving a vehicle.

[0051] In the transparent roof structure according to the presentinvention, it is possible to satisfy a good riding comfort feel and acircular protection system by distributing a deviated weight supportstructure and reinforcing a supporting force of a roof.

[0052] In the transparent roof structure of the present inventionaccording to the present invention, a vehicle body fabrication processis simplified, and a fabrication process is decreased. Therefore, thefabrication cost of the vehicle is decreased.

[0053] In the transparent roof structure of a vehicle according to thepresent invention, it is possible to decrease the weight of the vehiclefor thereby decreasing the consumption of energy and enhancing aneconomic effect.

[0054] In the transparent roof structure of a vehicle according to thepresent invention, an internal lighting is possible based on a naturallight for thereby implementing a good riding comfort feel.

[0055] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within itsspirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore allchanges and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of theclaims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intendedto be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a vehicle, a transparent roof structure,comprising: a roof glass which includes a reinforced net layer and a netglass layer which is formed of a first glass layer and a second glasslayer formed in an upper and lower surface of the reinforced net layer,respectively; a pillar glass which is formed of the net glass layer andis extended from a front end corner of the roof glass in a slanteddownward direction; a wind shield which is formed of a transparent glassand is extended from a front end of the roof glass and an inner end ofthe pillar glass; a supporter which includes a holder portion having aglass engaging groove to which a lower portion of the wind shield isengaged, an engaging portion which is extended from the holder portion,and a plurality of supporter engaging holes formed in a width directionof the engaging portion; and a ring frame which is installed in eachside of the roof glass, the pillar glass, the wind shield and the rearwindow, respectively.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said firstglass layer, second glass layer and wind shield are formed of oneselected from the group comprising a poly glass, reinforced plastic, andtempered glass.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein an air layer and athird glass layer are formed on an upper surface of the first glasslayer of the roof glass.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein aphotosensitive glass layer is formed on an upper surface of the thirdglass layer, and an infrared ray reflection glass layer is formed on anupper surface of the photosensitive glass layer.
 5. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein a liquid crystal glass layer which is changed into atransparent state or a non-transparent state based on whether a power issupplied or not is formed on a lower surface of the second glass layer.